Patents by Inventor Benjamin B. Schmuck

Benjamin B. Schmuck has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8571774
    Abstract: One disclosed embodiment relates to a propulsion system for a machine. The propulsion system may include a prime mover operatively connected through a continuously variable transmission to a propulsion device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls that control an operating parameter of the continuously variable transmission, which may include adjusting the operating parameter based on operator input. Controlling the operating parameter may also include determining an adjustment limit for the operating parameter based on one or more operating conditions and applying the adjustment limit to the operating parameter to modify at least one of acceleration and jerk of the machine based on the one or more operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofor Lee Dahl, Brian Douglas Hoff, Richard George Ingram, Michael Anthony Spielman, Jr., Benjamin B. Schmuck, Alberto Martinez, Jr., Yaang Zhao
  • Patent number: 8321105
    Abstract: One disclosed embodiment relates to a propulsion system for a machine. The propulsion system may include a prime mover operatively connected through a continuously variable transmission to a propulsion device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls that control an operating parameter of the continuously variable transmission, which may include adjusting the operating parameter based on operator input. Controlling the operating parameter may also include determining an adjustment limit for the operating parameter based on one or more operating conditions and applying the adjustment limit to the operating parameter to modify at least one of acceleration and jerk of the machine based on the one or more operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofor Lee Dahl, Brian Douglas Hoff, Richard George Ingram, Michael Anthony Spielman, Jr., Benjamin B. Schmuck, Alberto Martinez, Jr., Yaang Zhao
  • Patent number: 8216109
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is provided having a driven element. The continuously variable transmission also has at least one operator input device configured to transmit a transmission operating mode request and at least one other operator input device configured to transmit a driven element output request. In addition, the continuously variable transmission has at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of an operating condition of the transmission. The continuously variable transmission further has a controller configured to regulate an output of the driven element in response to the operating mode request, the driven element output request, and the at least one sensed parameter indicative of an operating condition of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofor Lee Dahl, Brian Douglas Hoff, Richard George Ingram, Michael Anthony Spielman, Jr., Benjamin B. Schmuck, Alberto Martinez, Jr., Yaang Zhao
  • Patent number: 7908853
    Abstract: A method of allocating hydraulic fluid between two or more actuators in a machine processes a first command intended to provide a first requested fluid flow to a steering actuator for steering the machine, and a second command intended to provide a second requested fluid flow to a non-steeling actuator, such as a lift or tilt actuator. The system modifies the first and second commands to produce modified first and second commands corresponding to modified first and second fluid flows, such that the sum of the adjusted first and second fluid flows is less than or equal to a currently available flow and the modified first fluid flow meets or exceeds the lesser of the first requested fluid flow and a threshold curve that is a function of a machine variable such as engine speed or other variable or parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C Budde, Brian D Hoff, Benjamin B Schmuck
  • Patent number: 7738979
    Abstract: A control system for controlling one or more actuators in a machine in response to installation of a tool to the machine detects the installation of a tool to the machine and prompts a user of the machine to configure the operation of the controller with respect to at least one of the one or more actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Schmuck, Steven C. Budde
  • Publication number: 20090118844
    Abstract: A control system for controlling one or more actuators in a machine in response to installation of a tool to the machine detects the installation of a tool to the machine and prompts a user of the machine to configure the operation of the controller with respect to at least one of the one or more actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Schmuck, Steven C. Budde
  • Publication number: 20090112424
    Abstract: One disclosed embodiment relates to a propulsion system for a machine. The propulsion system may include a prime mover operatively connected through a continuously variable transmission to a propulsion device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls that control an operating parameter of the continuously variable transmission, which may include adjusting the operating parameter based on operator input. Controlling the operating parameter may also include determining an adjustment limit for the operating parameter based on one or more operating conditions and applying the adjustment limit to the operating parameter to modify at least one of acceleration and jerk of the machine based on the one or more operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Kristofor Lee Dahl, Brian Douglas Hoff, Richard George Ingram, Michael Anthony Spielman, JR., Benjamin B. Schmuck, Alberto Martinez, JR., Yaang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20090088295
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission is provided having a driven element. The continuously variable transmission also has at least one operator input device configured to transmit a transmission operating mode request and at least one other operator input device configured to transmit a driven element output request. In addition, the continuously variable transmission has at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of an operating condition of the transmission. The continuously variable transmission further has a controller configured to regulate an output of the driven element in response to the operating mode request, the driven element output request, and the at least one sensed parameter indicative of an operating condition of the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Kristofor Lee Dahl, Brian Douglas Hoff, Richard George Ingram, Michael Anthony Spielman, JR., Benjamin B. Schmuck, Alberto Martinez, JR., Yaang Zhao